This is an open access version of the resources for the Developing Digital Leaders Course, which will run next early in 2016.
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Topic Authors: Helen Beetham and Ellen Lessner
In this theme you will explore how you support the development of teaching and professional staff, and how the organisation develops learners’ own digital skills as resources for learning.
However you see your organisation thriving as a digital organisation, that vision can only be delivered by skilled staff. Digital skills must not be left to specialists, although digital enthusiasts and experts are hugely valuable to the organisation. Skills need to be integrated into the day-to-day professional practice of all staff, whatever their subject area or role.
Student-facing staff need to understand how digital technologies can support day-to-day learning habits as well as subject-specific practices. Teaching staff need to keep up to date with new approaches in the classroom and new ways of using technology to support and record learning, wherever it takes place. Staff with responsibility for the IT environment need to be aware of how it is being used for teaching and learning, and to appreciate the value of innovation and specialisation as well as safety and standardisation.
Learners themselves bring many skills and experiences from their use of digital technologies. Some of these may need to be adapted and progressed if they are to support the independent learning demanded of them at FE level. But in other ways - such as their use of digital media (images, video, animations and apps) and their habits of sharing and collaborating online - learners have much to show us. Learners also expect to leave with skills for employability. Digital skills, evidence of digital outcomes, and an e-portfolio to show what they have learned, are all vital to what the FE and skills experience can offer.
Start by listening to what some digital leaders have to say about how they are building the digital capacity of their staff and students, in these extracts from our interviews with digital leaders.
Videos of Learner Voices in FE from Jisc
Developing digital literacies infokit from Jisc Infonet, and quick guide to Developing Students’ Digital Capabilities.
Staff development resources for teaching staff from Jisc Developing Digital Literacies programme on the Jisc Design Studio.
Outcomes of the PADDLE project: developing digital literacy across staff and student groups in five FE colleges)
Staff and student development courses (OCN accredited) from the Wordle project. Free access via log-in with a college email address.
Download the action grid template. Record the actions that are inspired by the resources and activities in this section. Identify any actions or issues that you would like to discuss in your action learning set.
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How are you developing capacity?